Christian Pulisic makes highly scrutinized return, no Weston McKennie or Matt Turner: Mauricio Pochettino announces USMNT roster for South Korea and Japan friendlies

Christian Pulisic is back in the U.S. men's national team squad for the upcoming friendlies against South Korea and Japan.

U.S. Soccer announced the latest squad on Tuesday, and it features Pulisic after the AC Milan star controversially skipped this summer's Gold Cup. The roster includes 12 players who were involved during this summer's tournament, while also including four players seeking their first caps.

That quartet includes goalkeepers Roman Celentano and Jonathan Klinsmann, son of former USMNT boss Jurgen, as well as Augsburg centerback Noahkai Banks and Vancouver Whitecaps defender Tristan Blackmon.

Also returning to the team are regulars Sergino Dest, Tim Weah and Josh Sargent, who were all out of the Gold Cup squad, while Alejandro Zendejas is also back in the attacking group for the first time in 2025.

Overall, 12 players represent MLS clubs, while 10 play at the club level in Europe. A total of 22 players have been rostered, with one addition to be confirmed. Players will begin reporting to New Jersey on Aug. 31.

GOALKEEPERS: Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Jonathan Klinsmann (Cesena/ITA) 

DEFENDERS: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Noahkai Banks (FC Augsburg), Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps), Sergino Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Orlando City), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace) 

MIDFIELDERS: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo), Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew) 

FORWARDS: Damion Downs (Southampton), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Josh Sargent (Norwich), Tim Weah (Marseille), Alex Zendejas (Club America) 

There are several notable absences, including several due to injury. Patrick Agyemang, Gio Reyna and Malik Tillman have yet to play at the club level this season after making big transfers this summer, while Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi and Antonee Robinson only recently returned from injuries that forced absences.

Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah and Tanner Tessmann are among the notable omissions in midfield, while Joe Scally was once again left out of the team after missing the Gold Cup.

Haji Wright, among the Championship's best players this season, was also left out. Goalkeeper Matt Turner, who recently transferred back to MLS, was also excluded. The New England Revolution do play through the international break, however, which seems to be Turner's best chance at minutes at the moment.

“We continue to strengthen the squad and narrow in on the pool of players who can help us achieve our goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” said Pochettino. “We have a number of players just returning from injuries or who have had very limited minutes in the last couple months, so they can take this moment to continue to build fitness and sharpness for the upcoming opportunities in the fall."

The USMNT will begin the international break with a match against South Korea in Harrison, New Jersey on Sept. 6 before then heading to Columbus, Ohio to face Japan three days later.